Plate tumbler lock



Oct.` 5, 1943a w. c. sHlNN PLATE TUMBLER LOCK Filed Feb. 25, 1942 wn/m. l Z I Patented Oct. 5, 1943 PLATE 'rUMBLER LOCKV l yWilliam dslam,- Chicago, .111., assignor toomcago Lock Company, Chicago, 1li., a corporation of Illinois Applicationlrebruary 25, 1942. serial No.' 432.991

2 claims. (el. .7o- 419) Thev` present' invention relates `generally to locks. More particularly .thefinvention relates to that type of lock which is designed toA be @pickproofi and as its. main or .principal parts comprises: 1) a'casing which has aA bore extending longitudinally therethrough and is adapted to be nxedto'the'part'or device .to be locked; (2)

a plug whichis rotatably mounted inthebore and has a longitudinal slot for a key;l and (3) a group .of key. operable platetumblers which are m'ountedinvth plug to slide transversely of the latter and also` to 'rock laterally to a slight extent andjserve. upon removal of thekey from the lock, to lock the plug against rotation relatively to the casing.` A

The main or principal object of the invention is toprovide a lock of this type having simple and improved means f orlocking certain of the plate tumblers against transverse movement vrelatively to the plug when an attempt is made to pick the lock by first turningthe plugas `far as permitted by thetuinblers in order to hold thek tumblers frictionallyin place vandthen inserting la pin or wire into the key sloty with a .view ofmanipulaty ingthe tumblers individually into their unlocked or plug-releasing position.

Another' object-*of the invention is to provide a plate'tumbler lock ofthe type and character last mentioned in which the means for rendering the lock pick-proof comprises a pair of parallel laterally: spaced grooves in the part ofthe plug that is `at one side of the tmblers and in addition ycomprises teeth which are formed'on the tumblers in'opposedA relation with the lgrooves and are adaptediin"l connection with lateral rocking of the tumblerswhen an attempt is made to pick the lock by turning the plug as far as permitted relativelytoth barrel toenter and become in. terlocked with the grooves `and thus lock or hold the'l tumblers in their operative or plug locking position.

r"A vfurther object of the invention is to provide y a plate -tumbler lockwhich is generally of new and improved design or construction and has certain advantages vover previously designed plate tumbler locks including that'which is shown in, and forms the 'subject matter of, United States Patent No. 1,964,963 granted to me onJuly 3, 1934. f

Other objects ofthe invention and the'various advantages and characteristics of the present lock will be apparent from `a consideration of the following detailed description. I'he 'invention' consists in the several ynovel features Which'are are more particularly hereinafter .set Lforth and de ned by claims at the conclusion hereof: In the drawingv which accompanies and" forms apart of this'specication or disclosure and in which like numerals'of reference denote 'corresponding parts throughoutthe several views;` 'n

` Figure 1 1 is a plan view of 4 a lock embodying the invention,vv parts being broken awayfor purposes oi illustration;

- into their operative or Figure 2 is al vertical longitudinal sectiontaken on the line2-,2v of Figure '1 and 'showingthe pla te tumblersin their released position due to inser-v tion ofthelock controlling key' in the key slot in theplug;

Figure 3 on the line 34-3 of Figure 1 and illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement of the wire spring. for urgingk the plate .tumblers outwards plug locking position upon` removal ofthejkeyfrom theplug;

' Figure 4 a. vertical longitudinal section showingthei arrangement of the tumblersgafter removal of the keyfrom the key slot n'lhf 'Illliilgj Figure. 5 *A is a Yperspectivevie'wf of V.the :frame which forms a part of the plug' and serves as a housing for the plate tumblersjandalso to Vsupport thewire spring; A

Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line' 6-f6 of Figure 2; Figure 7 isatransversel section on the liney 1-.`-l of Figure 4;'-

Figure 8 is a"transvers section-through front portion .of the lock,v illustratinghthe .action of the front tumblers, when the plug is Vturned inla clockwise direction relatively to 'the casing in connection with an vattempt to pick the lock;

Figure 9 vis atrans'verse section thromgli` the` rear portionof the lock, illustrating theaction pf the rearftumblers when the plug is rotated'in a. clockwise direction relatively .tothe casing .in

connection with an attemptfto pick the lock; j

Figure.V 1 0 is. a transverse section through 4the frontportion ofthe lock, illustrating the action of the front tumblers when theplug is turnedin.

a counterclockwise direction relatively to the casing in'connection withan attempt to lpick the.

10 ck;ana f f Figure 11 is a transverse sectionv through the ,rear portion ofthe lock; illustrating the action `or positionof the rear tumblers When-theplugis turned or. urged. ina counterclockwise direction relatively to the casing'inconnection with a loci; ,Y

picking oi'iera/tion,v The lock. whichr is 'shown inthe drawing con- 'stitutes the preferred form or embodiment oftheH is a vertical longitudinal Isection taken .tion of the front end which is of' slightlylarger ysecured in a socket in the partf'ondevicelwhiclisff" x larg'ed head 2U and`serves as ahousing medium Thje'side Wallis; extends between. andiserves.

invention. It is adapted for universal application or use and comprises a casing I2, a plug` I3, a frame I4, a front set of tumblers I5, a rear set of tumblers I6 and a tumbler shifting spring I'I. y 5

Thevcasing I2 of the lock is cylindrical and l'embodies a longitudinal bore I8. This bore extends completely through the casing and is of uniformdiameter throughout with the excepf diameter and results in the formation of an angnular shoulder I9 at the front end of the cas-f ing. The casing is preferably formed ofanysuit able hardened metal andfis adapted to be flxedly to be locked by the lock. vl The plug I3 is cylindrical and extends through, and is rotatably mounted,in,. the-licite;` I8. It is formed of any suitable metal and y embodies at the front end thereof an enlarged y head The,latter,..as shoyvnin. Figuresglwto., 4, inclusive,A lits.` within. the. enlarged frontend; portiorroff thef b ore I andfaliuts. agairislfflel annular sl'iouldei:= I9"so as tdholdthe nlug.against4 rearward'r .c iisplac'einent.y with respect., ,to4 the ing. Anyfsuitable .device l(not shown). isle' ployed to. hold' the plug' againstvr forward".move;A menti or displacement relativelyto the.v Casini.. .'A, stud 2`I is formed as an integral'part. ot`v the end'of the plugvandis. adapted to be'conn'ctd tooperate the. bolt., or other locking rarity with which triiock as awnoie. is is;sodann; In addition to. the. stud' 2LI the plug, embodiesla. lngitudinalkey slot 22for a key The latte'lllS designed to. control Ithe, operationof. thelockanri's ofv tnedoumeititted variety.' VThe key siti-lcita tends'through the' centralportion ofthe enlargedl, head llat tliefr'ont end'of thelplugfand'confrn's. i`n"cros's sectional shape or designt'o, theY dilble.7

' bitted 'or operating.. end oflthe. key.f2'3. Al; dil-.11a

- r`withsenid'operating endl of'the keylto shift,` the ametric placket;4 24 is l formed' in the vcentral 'por-1 tion. ofthe. plug. This pockety is. in'. communica?. tion-with theA rear` end ofthe key. slot in. the enQ-.;

forjthe framey I4.'V It is rectangular in p1an.sec. tion and' is., defined at one side. thereof bylaiiatwall 25 andatits other sideby aLiiat; 2B. The, two Walls 25. and' yare, paralllelJ-i one another'and constitute internal surfaces.; the plug.w Q I. y .y 'I'lie'fram-ev I'4 serves' as' a retainer for tliejturn blers and constitutes a. part. of the :plugfl3j151t` nts: snugly, withinfthegpocket T4 .and comprises. affront wall 2T.. afsid'e wall 'Miv and a, rearwall 29. Preferably ther framefi's vthe forxnoia.. metallic stamping. The" front WalI 2T offt1e"f framezembodies akey slot 3U'V andts againsftilie surf/ace` of the plugA that. defines the'frontl'enf.. the pocket 241., The; slot? *is longitudinairy.. aligned`Y` with, and is, "shaped i 'similarly or clin" formabiy to, the key slot z2 inv the. `head z'qf'j the plugaudis adapted' to receive and theioperating end" of. the key 23Qwhen the key. is'inser'ted linto place in order touvnlocls' the y cross connect', the front and'y rear. Walls 'ZT'andQ 2910i the"fran'le'and'iits'againstY the wall'f of theplug. The rear wall 29 ofthe frame' ai central' slotilf and" ts against the'. sur'laceA o1," the" plug;vvliitih definesA the re'arf end" ofthe. pocker ,245." 'r'rie` not; 3131s'longitudinally' aligned.; wlthtl'e. s101130" `in' the front Wall 21" and i'S adapted"toreceive the inner endor. extremityv of;l the keywhen the key is inserted through'the slot" 22 linto'" the plug. The' free. side marginsA of' the,y 75V asY front and rear walls of the frame are cut away so as to form laterally extending ears 32 and 33. These ears are centrally positioned with respect to the frame and serve, as hereinafter described, to support the tumbler controlling spring I1.

Rotation of the plug I3 relatively to the cylindrical casing I2 is controlled by the .tumblers I5 and-' IU.. The latter are ofthefplate'variety and preferably are in the form of metallic stampings. They are arranged in series form, as shown in'A Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and are mounted in the frame I4 so that they are free to slide transversely of the plug and also to rock laterally to The front tumblers I5 are loatedin'thefront'portion of the rame I4 and have extendedfupper ends which are adapted whentheironttumblers are slid or shifted up- Wards relatively to the plug to fit Within a longitudinalgroove 34 in the upper portion of the casing. I2 and thus lock the.v plug.` against rotation relatively, tothe 'casina-l .The groove. 34T cx:Y tendsjrearvvards from theslioulder I andinerrsectsI or communicates with the upper portion. o

the bore-[Iln The rearjtumblers I6' areA located.;

intherearA portion' of the' frame" I4. and. have extend'edfor; enlarged loiverv ends which areadaptfed" upon downward'fshift orvv sliding movement off the" rear tumblers relatively to .the plug to .fitV

portion-I 'of the oasing'f` I2" and" thus lock. the. plugsv against Arotation 'relativelx'ry to the casing, The.

grooveJ 35 extends. rearwardly fromK the shoulder |19 and'is disposed diametrically opposite the.

tumblersa` into a position Wli'ereinftlriey ends there# off'a-r-fe'rfluslrwith` the peripheryn :off the -plug when the key is IuHyinSerted'fintU'pIaoe: Inthisposi- I tion of' thet'umblrssthef plug "isa free so that`` it' Inaybe: rotated relativelyI t'ol the rcasing for boltl throwing or other purposes,` asiwell1 understood intheartn.. Whenathef'leyfis removedtne; spring frontlgtumblers upwards; intol` interlockedrela downwards. intav intcrlockedf relation vvrtlil the' groove 35 for plugflocking-zpurposes; The'hont' tumblers d5- are. providedv7 on the margins thereA`A of. that. areadjacent. the: plug: wall I 26 with' lat?.

' erallyextendinglugs-Sk Theselugs arerintegral parts of the. front. tumblers andareA located di'-` rectly beneaththe, extended-,upperl ends of the;`

fronttumblers and adjacent the upper endsf of 1the. central key receivingaslots 36..` l Ther' rear 'tumblers .I6f are, provided. *with` integral laterally` extending lugs 39" on the side margins thereof.v that are adjacent the. Wall-2li` ofthe plug.A These tioned'l adjacent the. lower. endsv of the, keyY receiving'Y centraljslots 3T. f

Thespnna IT serves as a medium for urging.

the' tumblers transyersely. of the, plug inta` locked: relation" with the casing upon removal of the key 23 from tl'1ekey.rs1ot,22.. It isformed oiyasingl piece. of. Wire andllcomprises. a central, subsla-.lli-Y tiallyhori'zontal; part', an upper arm; 4k, endg a lower. arm The upper arm.. 41|` is conneetedy4 to. the. rear endet the centralnartI-ofgthe saro a l by way of a loop 43 which surroundsthe ear33 on the rear wall 29 of thefram'ef I4. The front end of the arm 4I underlies V"and engages the laterally extending lugs 38 onthe front tumblers I5. The loop 43 isfso arranged that'itoperates to urge outwards the upper arm 4I of-the spring.:

When the Vkey 23 for the lock is removedthe upper arm 4I, due to its particular loading, operates through the medium of the lugs 38 to urge the front tumblers I outwards into locked relation with the casing I2. The lowerarm 42 of the spring II underlies the central part 46 and is connected to the front end of the latter by way of a loop 44 which, as shown in Figure 3, surrounds the ear 32 on the front wall 2l of the frame I4. The rear end of the arm 42 engages the laterally extending lugs 39 on the rear tumblers I6 and is urged outwards by the loop 44 so that'upon withdrawal of the key 23 it operates throughthe medium of the lugsf39 to shift the rear tumblers I6 downwards into locked relationwith the lockcasing I2.

'In order ,torender the lock pick-proof the side wall 28 of the frame I4 is provided in the inner face thereof with an upper longitudinally extending groove 45 and a lower longitudinally extending groove 46, the front tumblers are provided with side wings y4I and thereartumblers IB are provided with side wings 4B. The grooves 45 and 46 are parallel, ask shown in Figure y5, and are V-shap'ed'in cross section; l 'I'he side wings 4`I are formed as integral parts of the front tumblers I5 and are located or positioned opposite the side wall '28 of the frame I4. The outer side margins of the sidewings 4'I are longitudinally dished or concavely curved, as shown in Figures 6, 7', 8 and l0. The upper end portions of the outer margins of the side wings 4'I define with the ltop margins of the side wings laterally extending V-shaped teeth 49.and the lower .portions of the outer margins of the side wings 4l define with the lower or bottom margins of said side wings V-shaped teeth 53. The teeth 49 and 50 are spaced from one another a-slightly greater distance than the upper groove 45 is spaced from the lower groove 45. As hereinafter described, the lower teeth 5l] of the side wings41 are adapted in connection with certain lateral rocking of the front tumblers I5 during an attempt to pick the lock to interlock with the groove 45 and thus lock the front tumblers in their locked position. The outer side margins of the side wings 4'I are dished or convexly curved in a longitudinal direction to permit the front tumblers I5 to rock laterally readily and also to facilitate entry of the lower teeth 5I) into the bottom groove 46 in the side wall 28 of the frame I4. The lower teeth 56 are so arranged that when the fronty tumblers I5 are in their plug holding or locking position they are adjacent or opposite the lower groove 46. The side wings 48 are formed as integral parts of the rear tumblers I6. They are llocated adjacent the side wall of the kframe I4 and are the same in shape as the side wings 4l of the front tumblers I5. The outer side margins of the side wings 43 are dished or concavely curved in a longitudinal direction in order that they do not interfere with limited lateral rocking movement of the tumblers. The upper portions of the outer side margins of the side wings 48 define with the top margins of said side wings V-shaped teeth 5I and the lower portions of the side margins of the side wings 48 dene or form with the lower or bottom margins V-shaped teeth tion and are rocked laterallyfin' one direction `in connection with an Vattemptj to pick the flock; to

t'within the upper groove 45 andthus lockthe' rear; tumblers against transverse displacement relativelyi to the plug. When the proper key' is inserted linto the Yplug I3 ofthe lock the "front and reartu`mblers 'I5 and I6 are automatically centered with respect tothe frame and hence the teethV clear the groovesA 45A and 46,v as shown in Figure V6,* arid do not interfere vwith retractionv of the tumblers into their plug releasing'posi# tion.- When'the tumblers are'in their plug releasing position due to insertion of the correct key into the key slot 22,in the plug the upper teethof; the tumblers .are disposed above the groove 4,5 and the lower'teeth are vdisposed 'bef neath the groove l'46. Because of this the spring I'I encountersjno difficulty in shifting the turnblers into their plug flocking position upon removal of the key.

In attempting to `pick a lock of the type under consideration the plug is turned as far as possible in one direction or the other'relatively to the casing and then a wire or pin'is inserted into thev turning the plug to the farthest extent in a clock- 4 wise diroctiomasvie'wed in Figures 8 andi), the extended lowerends vof the rear Vtumblers I5 are brought into engagement with the left hand side of the groove 35 in the casing I2. This results in "the Arear tumblers fulcruming about the lugs 3S and rocking laterally in a counterclockwise direction in such manner that the upper teeth 5I enter and become interlockedy With the`upper groover 4-5in the side wall 28 of the framev I4. When the teeth 5I are in interlocked relation with the groove 45 the rear tumblers I6 are effectively held in their operative or plug locking posi-` tioni and hence cannot be shifted intov their released or inoperative position by a wire; pin or other picking tool. turned to its fullestextent in a clockwisedirection in connectionwith an attempted picking of the lock there is'no locking ofthe front tumblers I5 because, as shown in Figure 8, the ,pressure which is exerted upon the extended upper ends of the front tumblers causes the tumblers to rock oounterclockwise with theteeth 49 as fulcrunir,

pointsand such rocking serves to move the teeth 5I) away from :the groove 46. 4. However looking of the rear. tumblers is effected and the locking of such tumblers, due to intertting of the teeth 5I and` groove 45, prevents lthe rear Vtumblers d from being picked or shifted into their inopera# tive or plug releasing position. Ify an attempt is made to pick the lock `by first turning the plug` l tofits fullest extent in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures .10 andv 1l, the upper extended ends of the front tumblers I5 are brought,

into engagement with the left hand side of the groove 34 in the upper portion of the casing I2. When the upper ends of the front tumblers I5 are brought into engagement with the left hand side of the groove 34 the front tumblers fulcrum about thelugs 38 and rock laterally in a clockwise direction. Clockwise lateral rocking of the 52.r vThe upper` teeth 5I'are Vadapted whenftliev reartumblers I6 are in their plug lockingv posi@ When the plugis urged or.

from, wmbiersresluiis in the boina, een in:g

enteringfandfbefiomirisiiiiterlockedawititiiiefboi:

ioiiifgr i0-veY 4.61-, Ae sonnes medesimi-fare iriieriovked relation with: theA empi/e546 ,ihe'f eilt; iumbirs are helder, linked inltheir plug lacking,

- ucsiiiim angherie@ cannet bev visitedl orv mation-f lated into` theininoperativeor p lug-releasing.' position; Counterclockwise turning; ofl theV plug;-

I3j relatively i0 the Casing iniionxiectinf Wiihan attempt toA pick the lock doesfnot affectI the rearv tumblers because, asi llustrated in Figure lfl, such turning of the plugcausesnclockwise rocking of. Y the rear. tumblers.-r I 6. and suchrockingswings the.

teeth,- 5laway from the groove. 115.v However, even though the rear, nimblers4 are noi-,locked in their operative or locked positionthefront tum.- blers are effectively held. byl theteethQ-Sll andthe groove 4,6.I aginst release, from their. locked `110,51- tion` and, hence prevent picking ofH thelock;

From, the foregoing it ismanifest. thatI when the plug is turnedin one directionin connectionA with a lock picking operation certain of the tumf. blersare locked against inward sliding movementv with respect to` ther plug and when the plug is Areversely rotated .the other tumblers. are. locked against. inward shift away from theiry locked position. f, Y

The herein described lock isessentially pickproof,v and due vto its` special construction ordesign may be manufactured. at a` low and vreasonable '.cost. The grooves t5-and 4,6., because they are formed inl the side wall 28 of the frame i4, mayba readily formed in connection with fabrication of thelock. Becausethe. teeth 5U of the front 'tumblers I5, andthe teeth 5l ofthe rear tumblers l5 arev effectively strutted `or reenforced and` because they, are integral parts of the side Wings 4j and the side wings 48, respectively, they cannot readilyf be bent or ruptured when an attempt, ijs, made to pick. the v100k and heme they effectively andeiiiciently serve their intendedy Purpose. I y f Y A,

The invention is not tobe understood as restricted, to, the details set forth since these may l be modiiedl within the scope of the appended scopejof the invention. f

lglavilr'ig.4 thus4 described invention, what I y clairnrs'without departing lfrom the spirit and claim as new and desire to secure byv Letters Patentis: l v s v 1- A lock comprising. a Casing. with a cylindrialhorizoiital boretherijn, acvliridrical plug l rotatably mounted in the bore and having a key slotjat the front end thereof,a transverse normally vertical pocket in` its central portion in communicationy withl the key. slot, and` assingle pair 0f longitudinally extending vertically spaced grooves inone 0f. its pocket defining Side walls,A a pair of `key operable plate tumblers mounted ijnx the pocket so, that theyy are free to 1ock-'laterally to ar limited extent and' also slide verticallyA intoand ont of locked relation with the casing, and spring means for urging the tumblersv to slide one, upwards and, the other downwards intoY locked relation with the casing, said `one tumbler being providedY on the side thereofl that is adjacent the grooves with a single pairk of upper andlower laterally extending teeth Btii,

` spacedanar-t. a, greater iisiiirwel than the two;

grooves andgarranged so that when said one tumbler is in its unlokedposition they are disposed,` outwards of the grooves, respectively, said 0.1i@ tumbler: being adaoiedfwheii. iii iis locked, position and rocked laterally. due to the appli-l cationof rotative force in one direction on the plug in an-` attempt topck the lock, to have its.v

lower toothenter the lower groove and thushold itin its locked position, said other tumbler being providedon the side thereof that is adjacent. the

grooves; with a single pair of upper and lowerv teeth spaced apart the same distance asthe teeth onsaidone-tumbler and arrangedgso that they are :4 positioned outwards of the two grooves, respectively, when said other tumbler is in its unlocked positions, said. other tumbler being adapted when in its locked position and rocked. laterally due to the application of rotative force in theA other N. direction on the plugin an attempt to pick the lock, to have its upper tooth enter the upper groove and thus holdiit in its said locked position.

2o` A lock comprising a casing with. a cylindricalfhorizontal bore therein, a cylindrical plug Frotatively mounted in the bore andl having aA key slot at the front end thereof, a transverse normally, vertical pocket in its central portion in communicationv with the key` slot, andra single pairy of longitudinally extendingr vertically spaced Y-shaped grooves in one of, its pocket dening,k side:v walls, a pair of key. operable plate tumblers mounted in the. pocket so that they are free/to rock laterally to a limited extent and also'slide` vertically into and out of locked rela- 1When said one tumbler is in its unlocked position they are disposed outwards of the grooves, respectively' said one tumbler being adaptedI when in its locked position and rocked laterally due to the application of rotative force in one direction onI the plug in an attempt to pick the 106k, to have its lower tooth enter the lowerl groove andthus hold it in its locked position, said 4 other tumbler being provided on the side thereof that is adjacent the grooves with a verftically elongated longitudinally dished side wing having the ends thereof shaped to define upper and lower V-shaped teeth that are spaced apart the same distance as the teeth on the said one tumbler and arranged so that they are disposed outwards of the two grooves, respectively, when said other tumbler is in its unlocked position, said other tumbler being adapted When-in its locked position and rocked laterallydue to the application of rotative force in the' other direc- 'tion on the plugin an attempt to pick the lock, Y

to, have its upper tooth enter the upper groove and thus hold it in its said locked position.

WILLIAM C. SHINN; 

